As the sunsets, those selling local farm products at the Farmer’s market in Trongsa town have to call it a day. Unlike the fellow vendors selling imported vegetables and fruits, they cannot stay till 9 PM; their sheds are not electrified. According to the vendors, they repeatedly requested a connection to the district municipal, but nothing has come of it yet.
Come evening, vendors selling local farm products have to start packing the unsold stock. There are a few others who choose to stay back and do business under torch lights. This has been their daily routine for more than four years now.
“The local vegetables easily rot in summer. So, if there is electricity, we can store them. Also, we can operate our business for longer hours. Today, since there is no enough light, getting or giving change is inconvenient,” said Tshewang Dema, a vegetable vendor.
According to another vendor, they pay Nu 30 per day which translates to Nu 900 a month. It is just a few hundred ngultrum short of what others pay but the treatment, she said has been unalike.
“We would be grateful if the authority concerned provides us with storing spaces along with electricity. We are ready to pay for such facilities if required,” added Tashi Dema.
“It is not fair that the other unit is provided with the light and we are not,” said Rada Wangmo.
And their pleas have fallen to deaf ears. The issue was also extensively discussed during a Dzongkhag Tshogdu session between 2019 and 2020.
As per the Thromde Representative Karma Lethro, while on one hand, the agriculture ministry encourages farmers to promote local farm products, on the other hand, such issues persist.
“The main purpose of the agriculture ministry distributing seeds is to promote local produce. Therefore, I feel that the vendors should be given the facility. But at the moment, I have no idea about the municipal’s decision,” he said.
According to an official from the district municipal, the market space is meant for day sellers from the nearby villages who are expected to return by 3 PM. Therefore, there is no need to electrify the shed. Moreover, the existing vendors are allowed to operate temporarily.
With the district administration clear about its plans, the vendors will have to continue with the way they have been doing business so far. Despite their efforts, the inconvenience is here to stay.
Passang, Trongsa
